Downtown Oakland in Alameda County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

A Chinese Junk Boat for Oakland

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, October 3, 2020

1. A Chinese Junk Boat for Oakland Marker

Inscription. The idea for the Chinese junk (boat) came from the voyage of the real junk "Free China” from Taiwan to San Francisco in 1955. The idea originally involved the purchase of an actual junk for the playground, but eventually developed into a specially designed play structure. The Wa Sung Project Committee raised half of the project funds and together with the City of Oakland, who matched the funds, got the project built.

The junk has been a popular centerpiece of the playground for over thirty years. Like anything else that has been in constant use, it became worn and was in need of maintenance. In 2003, The Wa Sung Community Service Club again embarked on a project with the Oakland Parks and Recreation Department to restore and improve the junk. Public funds and private donations have made this second boat project a reality twenty-six years later.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1955.

Location. 37° 48.001′ N, 122° 16.1′ W. Marker is in Oakland,

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California, in Alameda County. It is in Downtown Oakland. It can be reached from 10th Street east of Harrison Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Oakland CA 94607, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area

and on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Masters of Navigation (here, next to this marker); Oakland’s Chinatowns (a few steps from this marker); Asian Resource Center (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Alameda County Courthouses (approx. ¼ mile away); Site of College of California (approx. ¼ mile away); Waterfront Warehouse District (approx. 0.3 miles away); Western States Grocery (approx. 0.3 miles away); C.L. Greeno Pacific Coast Headquarters (approx.

A Chinese Junk Boat for Oakland Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, October 3, 2020

2. A Chinese Junk Boat for Oakland Marker - wide view

0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oakland.

Other markers no longer nearby. United Grocers (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been permanently removed); Autocar Sales (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. The marker is located on the play junk just ahead of the poop deck.

Chinese Junk Boat and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, October 3, 2020

3. Chinese Junk Boat and Marker

Marker Inset image. Click for full size.

circa 2003

4. Marker Inset

"The playground was renamed the Wa Sung Community Service Club Play Area in 2003 to honor the long time service of the entire club."

2003 Junk Boat Renovation Donor Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, October 3, 2020

5. 2003 Junk Boat Renovation Donor Plaque

2007 Junk Boat Re-dedication plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, October 3, 2020

6. 2007 Junk Boat Re-dedication plaque

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 816 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 5, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.